The identification of proteoglycan-associated mRNAs in human dental pulp cells

Characterization of the dental pulp proteoglycans has been largely confined to the glycosaminoglycan component of the proteoglycan molecule, while the protein core has received little attention. This study was conducted to identify mRNAs of previously well-characterized proteoglycans—biglycan, and versican—and link protein in dental pulp cells. Dermal fibroblasts were used as a positive control. Oligonucleotide probes were constructed based on published sequences for the four proteins from human tissues. Total RNA was isolated from cultured human pulp and dermal cells, separated according to size by formaldehyde gel electrophoresis and subsequently transferred to a nylon filter. Northern hybridizations using the oligonucleotide probes revealed the expression of biglycan, decorin, versican and link protein mRNAs. Biglycan and decorin are small proteoglycans that have a regulatory effect on collagen fibrillogenesis. Assuming expression of link protein and versican in vivo, the larger proteoglycans in the dental pulp are capable of forming large proteoglycan aggregates.